Instrument panel



i and a glass cover ,which extends over and Patented May 25, i926,

UNET@ STATES instaat rari-ner ortica,

BENJAMIN H. ANIBAL, OF 'DETROX'JLE MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKERCOR- PORATION, OFDETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

NSTBUMENT PANEL.

Application led October 1, 1924. Serial No. 740,969.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle bodies and refersparticularly to instrument mountings thereinin which one or moreinstruments are mounted on a panel secured to the instrument boardforming a part of the body.

It is an object of this invention to provide a removable face or scrollAplate for an instrument panel.

lit is another object to provide an instrument panel construction inwhichV the instruments are independently supported on a panel providedwith a readily removable and replaceable finishing scroll or face-plate,which construction allows the-finish of the panel to be readily changed,-by changing the scroll plate, to match the finish of the panel support.

A further object is to provide a panel which ywill receive a pluralityof conventional or standard instruments such as are employed in singleand independentmounting without a panel, which instruments -are providedwith independent lasscove'rs and are independently mounte upon thepanel, the panel being provided with a readily removable inishing faceor scroll plate lcovers the faceslof all the instruments. p

rlhe above being among the objects of thel present invention the sameconsists of certain features of construction and combinations of partsto be hereinafter described with reference to Athe accompanying drawingsand then claimed, having the above and other objects l in View.l

ln the accompanying drawings which show a suitable embodiment of thepresent invention7 and in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

Fi re 1 is a face view of an assembledl instrument panel mounted upon anautomobile instrument board. t

Figure 2is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa face' view of the finishing scroll'or face plate only.

Figure i is an enlarged section of the finishing scroll or face platetaken on the line 4.-4 ofliigure. v Figure 5 is a face Iview. of theinstrument supporting panel only.

Figure 6 is an edge view of the instrument supporting panel shown inFigure 5. Figure/ is a view from the back ofthe `12 and projectstherethrough.

panell of the lamp receiving shell or socket. Figure 8 is a brokensectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 1, which View intaken onthe line A-A of Figure and shows a modiied method of securing theinstruments to the panel to prevent unauthorized removement, and themethod of fastening the panellto the instrument board.

In the drawings is shown an instrument board 10 of the type commonlyused on automobiles comprising a wooden member 10a and metal facingmember 10b. The instrument board 101is provided with an opening Y 11extending therethrough in which is positioned a panel 12` supportingvarious instruments and indicating devices such as are usuallyassociated with the control of the automobile of which they forma part.T he panel 12 is preferably made from relatively heavysheet metal to asuitable shape such as is shown in ligure 5 and is provided withopenings 13 for the reception of various instruments such as the clock14,' ammeter 15, oil gage 16, fuel gage 17 and speedometer-s 18, and anopening 19 ad]a cent its top' edge through which an electric lamp bulb20 is adapted to project. The panel 12 is also provided with outwardlyvprojecting ears 21 struck back slightly from the plane of the face ofthe panel and provided With openings 22 for receiving fastencludes asection of the supporting panel ingmeans such as the wood screws 28which pass therethrough and into the rear face of the wooderr portion10EL of the instrument board 10 for the purpose of securing the panel 12thereto.

Each of the various instruments shown is ofthe conventional typeprovided for single and independent-mounting upon an instrument boardand each is ,provided with an independent glass cover such as isindicated by the numeral 24. in Figure 8, and a bezel or face ring 25which is of a size and shape to conform, to the-openings 13 in the panelA Each face ring 25 is provided with an inwardly turned radial flange 2Gadapted to engage the front of the glass cover 24 and hold it againstits respective instrument and an outwardlyl`\ idf) low the. bar 29.

to are two studs 2S secured to the panel l2 by any suitable means, butas shown are provided with so-called llat' heads which seat indepressions formed in the front face of the panel l2. Clamping bars suchas 29 extend across the back of each instrument and are received by thestuds 2S and drawn down by nuts such as BO, or by a special form of nutas shown in Figure S, which secures the instruments to thepanel l2 withthe. face of the instruments projectinga slight amount past its frontface. The nut 3l (Figure 8) which projects through an opening in theclamp bar 29 is provided with a conical head which when drawn down intoposition lies flush with the outer face of the bar 29. Formed with andextending up from the face of the nut 3l is a cone-like projection 32which is 'provided with a screw driver slot and surrounding the stud 28from the panel l2 to the bar 29 is a tube 34 for preventing access tothe nut 3l from be- The method followed in the use of this constructionis to assemble the parts as shown and screwthe nut 3l down into positionwith a screw driver engaging the slot 33. Upon sufficient force beingapplied to the screw driver after the nut 3l has been screwed home, theprojection breaks off at its point of junction with the nut 3l, leavingthe exposed face of the nut 3l 'prace tically smooth and flush with thebar 29. This leaves no ready method of unscrewing the nuts'l to removethe instruments, and sucha construction is particularly desirable foruse in securing valuable instruments to `the instrument board as theseinstruments are especially sought by thieves.

' Overlying the face of the panel l2 is the scroll, linishing, or faceplate 35 which is shaped to conform to the opening 1l in the instrumentboard l() "and is providedwith various openings 36 which receive theprojecting front portions of the various instrun ments, the metal aboutthe openings 36 bef,

ing rearwardly flanged, as at 37 in Figure 2, and such flanged portionis received in the openings 13 of the panel l2. The outer edge orperiphery of the scroll plate 36 is formed to present a forwardlyextending flange portion 3S terminating in an outwardly flanged portion39 against which rests a glass cover plate 40, of such a size and shapeas to close` the opening` 1l and extend over the faces of all theinstruments. A bezel ring- 41` secured to the panel l2 by screws such asl2 or by otherl means extends forwardly therefrom and is provided withan inwardly extending r'eversely bent portion 118 forming a pocket whichreceives a deformable element 4t, such as a rubber strip, which contactsagainst the forward edge of the glass cover plateA d0 and causes it tobear against the outwardly flanged portion 39 of the scroll plate 3G,securely holding the latter in proper position between the panel l2 andglass 40. vbezel ring ll is provided with an outwardlyY extendingflanged portion l5 which elliectib.

ally conceals the j'ointbetween the bezel ring ll and the metal facing10 of the instrunlent board lO.

The upper part of the opening ll in the wooden portion l0 of theinstrument board l() is Cut out to a greater 'extent than the metal face10b and the bezel ring ll is provided with an upwardly extending pocketIl?, which is concealed behind the metal face portion 10b and into whichprojects the lamp bulb 20. The interior of the pocket 47 is preferablypolished in order to bet-ter reflect the light from the bulb 20 on tothe faces of the various instruments therebelow through the opening 48cut in the upper portion of the flanged portion 3S of the scroll plate3G innncdiately below the bulb 20.

Surrounding the opening 19 in the panel l).y and projecting rearwardlyand downwardly therefrom is a.' sleeve member 49 whose forward outwardlyAflanged edge is secured to the panel by spot welding or other suitablemeans, and whose rear edge is provided with an inwardly turned flangepor tion 50. An outwardly extending groove is provided on the interiorof the sleeve approximately midway its length and aiwaslier 5l ispositioned therein'to acts as a stop for the coil spring 52 whichextends be- 'tween the same and a second washer which normally ispressed against the inwardly turned flange portion 50. The bulb 2O issecured in a socket member 54 in a con` ventional manner and the socketmember 5l is provided with two radially extending diametrieally opposedpinsl55 which are adapted to be received by notches 56 in the inwardlyturned flange portion 50 of the sleeve 49, The openings in the sleeve49and washers 5l and 53 are large enough to admit boththe bulb 2O andsocket 54 therein which al` lows both the bulb and socket to be removedand reinserted from the back of the panel when it is desired to change abulb. In positioning the bulb 20 and socket 541, the same are insertedwithin the sleeve 49, :the pins 55 are passed through the notches 56 andare brought up against the washer 53 which is forced forward,compressing the spring 452, until the pins l55 are free of the notches56 at which time the socket 54 is rotated to bring the pins 55 out ofline with the'notches 56 and the socket is then allowed i yto move back,the spring 52 causing the pins to be clamped between the washer 53, andthe flange 50, thereby holding the lamp and socket in proper normalposition.

A gasket` such as 57 is preferably provided bbetween the glass cover 40and the flanged portion 39 of the vscroll plate 36 to take up anyunevenness in the joining surfaces,

A finishing ring Zl5 closely litting the` and a gasket' such as 58 isalso preferably provided between the outwardly flanged portion 27 of theface rings 25 and the panel l2 to prevent entranceof dust therethroughon to the face of the instruments and scroll plate.

It will be seen from the vforegoing that the construction involvedincludes several novel features, the most notable of which are perhapsthe readilyreplaceable scroll plate, the concealed light pocket of thebezel ring, and the lamp and socket removable from the rear Withoutdismantling the panel unit. The advantage of the removable scroll plateas previously described is the ability to change the, linish of thepanel mounting to suit different finishes of instrument board, bodyinterior, orother finishes. The advantage of forming the light pocket inthe bezel ring to lie behind and be concealed by the metal facing of theinstrument board is that a neater. and more artistic design of panel maythereby be obtained and the advantage of the lamp bulb and socket beingremovable from the rear face of the panel is that such a method providesa quick and easy means of replacing a damaged bulb.

Although but one embodiment of the present inventioniis shown anddescn'bed, it is understood that the same is eapableof variousmodifications and reiinements, as for instance, the use of a tvvo `piecescroll plate comprising'a rim and face portionV instead of the one piececonstruction shown, Without departing from the spirit and substance of4the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with theappended claims.

:What I claim is:- I

1. In combination with an instrument board having an openingtherethrough, a supporting panel closing said opening, instrumentssupported by said panel, a removable finishing plate provided withopenings through which said instruments are visible overlying saidpanel, Aand a single glass cover overlying all of said instruments.

v2. In combination with a supporting element having an openingtherethrough, an instrument supporting panel closing said opening,.instruments supported by said panel, a separate finishing memberoverlying said panel provided with openings through which saidinstruments project, a

l single glass cover extending over the faces of all the instruments,and a' bezel ring secured to said panel for clamping said glass cover.and said finishing member in operative position. f p

3. In kcombination with an instrument board provided with an opening, asupporting panel closing` the rear face of said opening and secured tosaid board, Aand instruments having independent glass covers projectingthrough and supported by said panel,

of albezel ring secured to and projecting forwardly from said panelengaging the periphery of said opening, a glass cover extending over allof said instruments, and a iinishing member for the face of said panelclamped between said bezel ring and said panel.

4. In combination with an instrument board provided with an opening, apanel secured -to said instrument board overlying said opening, andinstruments projecting through and supported by said panel, of a bezelring secured to said panel terminating at its front edge in a reverselybent portion providing a pocket for a resilient gasket member, and aremovable scroll plate and a panel cover glass clamped between saidresilient gasket member and said panel.

j 5. In combination Withv an instrument board .having -an openingtherethrough, an instrument supporting panel closing said opening, and aplurality of instruments supported therein, a bezel ring supporting eachof said instruments in said panel, 'a 'finishing plate adjacent the faceof said instru ments covering the exposed face of said supporting panel,a glass plate covering all ported therein, a detachable finishing platelfor said panel, a glass plate covering all of said instruments and saidiinishing plate, a bezel ring secured to said supporting panel forclamping said glass plate and finishing plate in operative position, andilluminating means supported by said supporting panel and concealed bysaid linishing plate` for il luminating said instruments.

7. In combination with an instrument board having a metal face portionand a backing portion, an instrument,supporting panel mounted in anopening in said instrument board, instruments supported on said panel, asingle glass cover extending over the faces of all of said instruments,and a. bezel ring clamping said glass cover in position, said' bezelring being provided With an offset pocket concealed behind said metal`through and supported by said plate, a glass plate closing said openingin said metal face, and a bezel ring' for holding said glass plate inposition, said bezel ring being provided with an outwardly extendingpocket concealed by said iiietal face and lying' in said cnt-outpoi-tion of said Wooden back or receiving illuniinating means for saidinstruments.

9. In combination with an instrument board comprising a wooden baek anda metal face having a symmetrical opening' therethrough. an instrumentsupporting panel, a removable inisliing plate adjacent the front face ofsaid instrument panel Closing. the opening in said Wooden back, a glassplate closingthe opening in said metal face, a bezel ring secured tosaid instrument panel supporting` said glass plate and provided with alamp-receiving pocket positioned to be concealed by said linishingplate, a lainp positioned in said pocket, and means for supporting saidlamp whereby it may be removed from said pocket- Without removing vsaid'bezel ring, glass plate, and finishing. plate.

10. In a device for supportingl instruments to the instrument board ofan automobile, the combination with an instrument supporting` plate anda glass cover for said plate, of a finishingr plate ldetaeliably securedbetween the tace ot' said plate and said glass, said finishing platebeing held in operative position by pressure applied thereto by saidglass.

Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S.

A., his 26th day of Sept. i924.

BENJAMIN H. ANI BAL.

DISCLAIMER.

1,585,636.Benjafrrizn H. Anibal, Detroit, Mich. INSTRUMENT PANEL. Patentdated May 25, 1926. Disclaimer tiled November 19, 1927, by the assioneeThe Studebaker Uoeporatz'on. b i cIC-Iereby enters this disclaimer toClaims 6 and 1Q, to v vt:

.6. In Combination with an instrument board having an openingtherethrough, an instrument supporting panel Closing said opening, and aplurality of instruments supported therein, a detachable linisliinzg`plate for said panel, a Glass plate covering all of said instruments andsaid finishing plate, a` bezel rin;` secured to said supporting panelfor clamping said glass plate and finishing plate in operative position,and illuminating means supported by said supportine' panel and concealedby Said finishing plate for illuminating said instruments. D

1 0. In a devie for supporting instruments to the instrument board of anautomobile, the combination with an instrument supporting plate and aglass cover for 'said plate, of a finishing; plate detaehabl y securedbetween the face of said plate and said Glass said inishine plate beineheld .in o erative osit-ion b applied thretoby said glass?? D p p ypreqme [Oficial Gazette December 1927.]

